Brook Manshead Ward Project
Outline Sex and Relationships Education Policy for a Secondary School
This policy outline is intended to support staff and colleagues in devising their Sex and Relationship Education policy.
Sex and Relationship Policy (SRE)
What is sex and relationship education?
Sex and relationship education is learning about the emotional, social and physical aspects of growing up, relationships, sex, human sexuality and sexual health. Some aspects are taught in science and others are taught as part of PSHE. A comprehensive programme of SRE provides accurate information about the body, reproduction, sex and sexual health. It also gives children and young people essential skills for building positive, enjoyable, respectful and non-exploitative relationships and staying safe both on and offline.
Effective SRE is essential if young people are to make responsible and well informed choices. Research demonstrates that good, comprehensive sex and relationship education does not make young people more likely to become sexually active at a younger age.
Effective SRE can make a significant contribution to the development of the personal skills needed by pupils if they are to establish and maintain healthy relationships. It also enables pupils to make responsible and informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Aims and Objectives
This policy is a working document which provides guidance and information on all aspects of SRE in the school for staff, parents/carers and governors. To be accessible to all of these groups the document needs to be available on request.
Morals and Values Framework
The SRE programme will reflect the values of our school alongside the values of the PHSE and Citizenship program. SRE will be taught in the context of relationships as well as promoting self-esteem and emotional health and wellbeing. Which demonstrates and encourages the following:
- Self-respect
- Respect for others
- Responsibility for own actions
- Consideration for family, friends, school and wider community
Equal Opportunities
The school is committed to the provision of SRE to all of our pupils. Our program aims to respond to the diversity of our pupil’s cultures, faith and family backgrounds.
This will be achieved by:
- Providing a trusting and safe atmosphere where questions can be asked and answered appropriately, without embarrassment
- Making SRE part of our PHSE program
- Setting working agreements with pupils to set up a safe environment
- Providing information which is easily understood, relevant and appropriate to the age and maturity of the pupils
- SRE programs will be delivered by adults which are confident and trained in the area of topic
Aims and Objectives for Sex and Relationship Education
The aim of SRE is to provide children with age appropriate information, explore attitudes and values and develop skills in order to empower them to make positive decisions about their health related behaviour.
This should take place with consideration of the qualities of relationships within families.
The objectives of Sex and Relationship Education are;
- To provide age appropriate knowledge and information to which all pupils are entitled
- To clarify/reinforce existing knowledge
- To raise pupils’ self-esteem and confidence, especially in their relationships with others
- To help pupils understand their sexual feelings and behaviour, in an age appropriate context. So they can lead fulfilling and enjoyable lives
- To help pupils develop skills (language, decision making, choice, assertiveness) and make the most of their abilities
- To provide the confidence to be participating members of society and to value themselves and others
- To help gain access to age appropriate information and support
- To develop skills for a healthier safer lifestyle
- To develop and use communication skills and assertiveness skills to cope with the influences of their peers and the media
- To respect and care for their bodies
- To be prepared for puberty and adulthood
The teaching programme for Sex and Relationship Education
Legal requirements
All schools must teach the following as part of the National Curriculum Science Orders, parents do not have the right to withdraw their child/children.
SC2
Reproduction
- F: about the physical and emotional changes that take place during adolescence
- G: about the human reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and fertilisation
- H: how the foetus develops in the uterus, including the role of the placentaus develops in the uterus, including the role of the placenta
Health
- M: that the abuse of alcohol, solvents, and other drugs affects health
Sex and relationship education should focus on the development of skills and attitudes not just the acquisition of knowledge.
This content has been agreed in consultation with governors, parents and teaching staff.
The organisation of Sex and Relationship Education
…………….. is the designated teacher with responsibility for coordinating sex and relationship education.
Sex and relationship education is delivered through science, RE, PSHE, Citizenship and literacy activities. Sex and relationship education is taught by classroom teachers, teaching assistants and if appropriate, outside visitors.
A range of teaching methods which involve children’s full participation are used to teach sex and relationship education. These include use of video, discussion, looking at case studies, drama and role play.
Sex and relationship education is usually delivered in mixed gender groups however, there may be occasions where single gender groups are more appropriate and relevant.
SCHOOL TO ADD LIST OF RESOURCES USED IN LESSONS HERE
Specific Issues
Parental consultation
The school includes information on sex and relationship education in the school prospectus and full details are available on request.
The school informs parents when aspects of the sex and relationship programme are taught and provides opportunities for parents to view the videos and resources being used.
Parents have the right to withdraw their children from those aspects of sex and relationship education, not included in the National Curriculum Science Orders, alternative work would be set.
However this rarely happens, we work in partnership with parents to recognise the importance of this aspect of their child’s education.
Child Protection / Confidentiality
Teachers are aware that effective sex and relationship education, which brings an understanding of what is and is not acceptable in a relationship, may lead to disclosure of a child protection issue.
The staff member involved, will inform the Head Teacher /Designated Child Protection person in line with the LEA procedures for child protection.
A member of staff cannot promise confidentiality if concerns exist.
Links with other policies
This policy is linked with the following policies:
- PSHE & Citizenship
- Equal Opportunities
- Child Protection
- Confidentiality
- Behaviour
- Anti Bullying
- Cross Phase eg. Key Stage 3
These policies can be found…………………………………………………………………
Dealing with difficult questions
Ground rules are essential to provide an agreed structure to answering sensitive or difficult questions. This framework facilitates the use of an anonymous question box as a distancing technique.
Teachers will endeavour to answer questions as honestly as possible but if faced with a question they do not feel comfortable answering within the classroom, provision would be made to meet the individual child’s needs.
Children with special needs
Teaching and resources will be differentiated as appropriate to address the needs of these children in order for them to have full access to the content of sex and relationship education.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring is the responsibility of the head teacher, named governor and teacher with responsibility for sex and relationship education.
The school will assess the effectiveness of the aims, content and methods in promoting students’ learning by lesson observation, sampling teachers planning, questionnaires to teachers and children and feedback from parents.
The effectiveness of the SRE programme will be evaluated by assessing children’s learning and implementing change if required.
This policy document is placed on the parents and staff notice board for 2 weeks following approval by the full governing body.
Any change will be reflected in the school prospectus.
SRE issues will be included in the induction programme for all new members of staff.
This policy will be reviewed by …………………………..
Policy to be reviewed: April 2018
Adopted by Governors ……………………………………………………………………….
Signed by Chair of Governors …………………………………………………..
Date…………………………..
Name of people involved in developing this policy: